Tag: weep

He wept . . . Part 4 (Conclusion)

He wept . . . Part 4 (Conclusion)

Over the past several weeks we have looked at the three recorded instances where Jesus wept. By no stretch of the imagination do i believe, nor do i believe the Bible teaches, that Jesus only wept these three times. Just that these are the recordings given us as to peer into the heart of His [Jesus] humanity. The three recordings again, first, He wept over Lazarus recorded in John 11. Second, He wept over Jerusalem as we read in Luke 19. Finally, He wept over the world as the writer of Hebrews points out in Hebrews 4.

This idea of Christ’s humanity often gets lost i think in our retelling of these passages. Paul writes to the Romans in Chapter 12 vss 9-21  an eloquent and yet passionate plea to the church in Rome. His words echo through history into the future and here we are now listening in. May we take heed to its merits and begin to sync with the words of the page.

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Let me draw our attention to verse 15; “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” If i may remind us again of the humanity of Jesus and how in a world fallen, broken, lost, and confused, He sought to bring hope, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. In so much as He lived among us as an example, being tempted in every way we are tempted. Yet, Jesus overcame the world through His humanity that we might live through Him and for Him. The idea that Jesus rejoiced and wept reveals the heart of a God that both rejoices and weeps with us and for us. Therefore we ought to rejoice and weep with others as the time allows.

Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that there is a time to weep. Jesus reveals 3 instances that should bring a tear to our eyes. Although the Lazarus account may seem a bit murky, i believe it shows we ought to weep, not simply at the passing on of others but for the suffering of others and for the fallen for we know how great a reward awaits those who call on the name of the Lord. For our cities and our towns and our country as so many reject Christ. They deny the one Messiah, King of kings and Lord of lords. Finally, for the world, for the many who are perishing. May our heartbreak and weep for the lost.

Next week we will look more into this passage and a few others as we begin a series, “Christian.”

You are loved,

cj

He Wept . . . part 3

He Wept . . . part 3

There are three instances in Scripture where Jesus is recorded as weeping. These instances reveal His heart and His humanity. In no way does it presume that He only cried three times but that these are the instances that are recorded for us, to glimpse in on His compassion. He wept over Lazurus. He wept over Jerusalem. He wept over the world. Hebrews 5:7 says, “In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.” We connect this passage with Jesus’ time in the Garden prior to His arrest, trial, and crucifixion. It is Jesus in the role of High Priest.

14 "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time  of need." Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV

What would bring a high priest to tears of lament? Was it the cross that He was to bear? Was it fear of the cross? A combination of the two? Or was it perhaps the knowledge that although grace was to be offered free to those who desire it, that the punishment for sin, which is death and separation from God, was paid for, and yet still many would pass. They would simply refuse it, turning their back on God. If you were to go down to the corner and offer free hugs to anyone who would receive one, i am sure there would be those who would refuse. Their refusal would come from a place of doubt, misunderstanding, fear, pride . . . Those that would accept a hug would do so from a mindset of curiosity, a desire to be loved, feel loved, joy, they may not fully understand why but they would accept it just the same.

This may be a poor example but here is my thought. Grace isn’t always understood, some receive it and some don’t for the same reasons expressed above. Now add to it the knowledge that anyone who accepted the hug from you would be saved, all they needed to do was accept your hug. How much more would you try to give out hugs? Here Jesus knows that His loving sacrifice will not be accepted by everyone although offered to everyone. He knows that and He knows our humanity, our weaknesses, our temptations. He knows the pull of the world and the work of the advisory the devil. Now put the weight of the world on His shoulders, are those tears and cries of supplication for the cross? Or for the many that will choose to ignore the free offering of Grace?

i think in Jesus’ humanity, yes, if there was another way acceptable, He would have chosen it. However, in His time in the garden, His final words, “Not my will but Yours,” He chose obedience. We too must choose obedience. We must be willing to bear the cross and share the cross with anyone who would hear. For the great High Priest intercedes for us and for the world. So much so that His heart breaks for those who will simply walk by. As ours should. Our hearts should break for the passerby and our resolve to reach out for them should intensify, our prayers of supplication magnified, and our tears should be many. “O’Lord let us get one more!” Should be our rally cry everytime we are able to give out a hug.

You are loved,

cj